The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-01-29

Goujon followed, and was almost star
tied out of his wits when the priest
seized him and gave him a hug and
babe him come along. Then he knew
it wa Jean, who said:
II made my escape yesterday week
from Cherbourg, and found it hard
work to get to Paris and then get word
to you. You remember old Father
Berneval, who buried the faithful at the
cemetery, until he scandalized the place
and his profession by getting drunk:
Well, I found him out, and he re-
membered how l used to smugglc the
cognac into him. and was grateful. He
put the note under your door and fixed
me up in this guise to meet you. Come
right with me to his abode in the Rue
Simon lie Franc, and we will have a
talk. ! have a proposition 10 make to
you,'
The father and son walked together
to the place named and remained in
close conversation until q late hour.
When they separated Jean said;
"And now for a new life.'
Il
In 1869 Monsieur Thcophile was one
of the richest and most honorable citi-
zcns of Strasburg. For tw%enty-four
years he had resided there, and by in
dustry and ability acquired Il large
fortune. Soon after his arrival, in
1916, he went into business for HIM
self. Then he got married and
brought his old father to reside
with him. Seven children were born,
all of whom died except the Oldest,
Henri. Monsieur Theroud was a great
railroad man, and had made himself a
name. lie had just been chosen prcai-
dent of a scientific society, and his
portrait had been published in several
periodicals. He had built himself a
fine dwelling in the neighborlood of
S%trasburg. and his only son was follow
ing in his footsteps and gave promise of
brilliant career as Il civil engineer.
Now it so happened that a gentleman
named Riyerin, who has already figured
in this narrative, had mended his ways
and was engaged III selling books, pc
riodicals and newspapers on the Rue St.
Lazare, Paris, near the entrance to u
large railroad station of the West.
Amusing himself in a leisure moment
with looking over some pictorial pa
pers, his eye fell upon Il portrait which
greatly attracted his attention. He ex-
amined it closely. 1t was the likeness
of Monsieur Theophile Theroud, the
railroad nragnate of S%trasbWrg, recently
chosen president of 4 scientific society.
"What a likeness exclaimed Mon
sicur Riverin; 81 could swear it was
Jean Goujon,'
Then he read the half column of let
ter-prcss which described Monsieur
Theroud's career.
"'He first settled in Strasburg in
1s45-the very year Jean escaped from
Cherbourg and passed out of sight.
For many years his father resided with
him'-old Goujon disappeared from
Pere la Chaise at the same time: and
up to the close of his life, three years
ago, it was the great delight of the
venerable gentleman to cultivate
howers'--that was old Goujon's busI-
ness in a fashion at the cemetery. This
is q very singular thing. ! could swear
this was a likeness of Jean COUPON"
So Monsieur Rivcrin read and COM
mented. At home that night be
thought the matter oven and said to
himself: IF this is Jean, my fortune
is made. If l go and identify him
he will pay me handsomely to keep
his secret, for he is, despite all
his wealth and high position,
only an escaped convict, and liable to
be returned to the gallcys to serve ont
his time. l will pay him q visit"
Monsieur Riverin next day gave his
book and newspaper stand into the care
of a friend, and ~iourneyed to Strashurg.
Once there, he found no difficulty in
a good look at Monsieur Thco-
phile Theroud.
"He is my man! The top of the third
of the right hand is gone. He is
Jean Goujon, the escaped convict ex-
claimed Monsieur Riverin. my for
tune is secure l will change my name.
My identity ceases from this time. |
,m-who am Ip Let me think y " {
All! l am Monsieur Paul Desmoulins. '
hat is a great anne. He will pay !
landsomely-at least two hundred
thousand francs. will never return ,
o Paris. l will wipe out my past life. '
will retire to a quiet place and-mar- .
W Why notP l am only forty-eight. '
Where shall it be, Monsieur Paul Des- J.
noulins? Time enough for that. Now d
will get my cards engraved and pre- J.